Camping checklist: How to start the camping season prepared

Even if a few brave souls are drawn to winter camping with a tent or others travel after the sun in autumn - for most camping fans, the camping season starts in spring and ends when the days get shorter again. After such a long break, it's important to check whether your camping equipment is still intact or whether you need to replace some of your equipment. We have put together a list of all the things you should check before the start of your next holiday or short trip to avoid any surprises.

Especially when it gets dark and you want to sit outside comfortably for a little longer, it is important that your camping lights work. Check that the battery is fully charged** so that you are not suddenly left in the dark. The inside of your tent should also be equipped with a lamp so that you can find your way around easily when it gets dark. Our Kiruna LED camping lamp provides you with light for up to 75 hours without having to charge the battery in between.

If you have a Dutch oven with you for cooking, don't forget to always have enough briquettes on hand. Think about whether you need to buy an extra bag of briquettes before you start your camping adventure. This way, you can conjure up a delicious meal for the whole family or all your friends. Take a look at our Dutch Oven recipes and let yourself be inspired by savoury and sweet recipes!

Check in advance whether your cool box is still working. Especially if it is very warm at your destination, it would be annoying if the cool box is faulty. After all, purchases of perishable food also need to be kept cool at the campsite. A **cold drink on warm summer days **should also always be ready. Plug your electric cool box into the socket once to check that it is still working properly. Even better than a cold drink in summer is a tasty ice cream, so freezer boxes, which you can use as a cool box on one side and a freezer box on the other, are practical. This keeps everything nice and chilled - or frozen.

Which destination are you aiming for this year? Will it be warmer or colder there than on your last camping holiday? Sweating at night would be anything but nice - as would freezing quickly. Find out what the weather is like in your destination region and, above all, how low the temperatures drop at night. In some regions, this makes a big difference to the daytime temperatures. Then check the comfort, limit and extreme ranges of your sleeping bag. If the comfort range is clearly too warm or too cold, consider looking for an alternative so that you can have a comfortable and restful sleep.

So, are you still lying on the thin roll-out sleeping mat when camping and wondering why you're sleeping so badly? How about an alternative self-inflating sleeping pad that protects you from the cold ground and gives you a comfortable, cosy night's sleep at the same time? You'll find that you can sleep better in the tent and feel as if you're lying in your own bed.

A travelling pillow is the ideal solution for increased comfort. Is your camping pillow perhaps a little worn out by now? Restful sleep is the be-all and end-all when camping and you should pay a lot of attention to this. It is therefore worth buying a new pillow from time to time. You can also use it for other travelling by plane, lie down comfortably in a hammock or have it ready for a longer car journey.

Before you set off, check that all pegs, tent poles and guy ropes are present and flawless. After all, a securely standing tent is essential. Set up your tent in the garden before your trip, for example. This way you can easily see if anything needs to be replaced or repaired or if anything is missing. Open and close all zips and check whether the mosquito nets are still intact**. This way, you'll be well prepared for your upcoming trip and won't have any surprises if you do need to replace something.

Also check whether your *tent is waterproof*. Simply go over the tent with a garden hose or a watering can and then check whether anything inside has become wet. You should pay particular attention to the seams. It is important to waterproof the tent properly before storing it. So keep this in mind before you store your tent for the winter.

If you use telescopic poles for your canopy or awning, check that they are still intact and complete and replace them if necessary.

If you want to spend your next camping holiday abroad, you should check in advance whether your travel documents, such as your passport, are still valid. A foreign health insurance also protects you during your entire trip. In some countries, you will also need an international driving licence. Depending on the country you are travelling to, special vaccinations may be required before you start your journey. Entry forms** or residence permits may also be required in some countries. So find out in advance which documents you need for your holiday. Take care of a new passport in good time if it is due to expire soon and take out the appropriate insurance.

If you have specific plans, it is important that you check in advance whether your favourite campsite still has pitches available and book early in advance. Especially in the peak camping season - during the summer holidays - campsites are booked out quickly**. Alternatively, find out about any changes, such as opening times, if you are travelling out of season. If you want to be spontaneous during your trip, it's best to choose several campsites in advance so that you have more choice and a better chance of finding a suitable campsite.

Once you have worked through this *camping checklist*, your camping holiday and the camping season can begin. You'll be *well prepared* and can enjoy your holiday to the full!